People respond to Jesus in all sorts of ways.

A stunned and fearful group asked Jesus to leave after the dramatic healing of a demoniac. In the next city, Jairus, a synagogue ruler, begged Jesus to heal his daughter. On the way, a long-suffering woman reached out for her healing by simple touching Jesus’ clothes. Finally, upon entering the house where the little girl now lay dead, the people laughed at Jesus (Mark 5).

Fear, desperation, hope, ridicule. Jesus brought out all these feelings and emotions within a short walk. I cannot imagine laughing at Jesus, nor can I imagine asking him to leave. However, if I were there in the moment, I’d probably respond like everyone else.

One thing I know for sure, when that little girl came skipping out of her death room, laughter of derision turned to laughter of joy, and no one looked at Jesus in the same way again.